A correctional peace officer at the Edmonton Remand Centre (ERC) has been arrested and charged in relation to allegations of smuggling drugs to inmates in the facility.

After staff from the ERC notified the EPS in November of 2010 of possible drug infiltration into the Centre, a lengthy investigation relating to the ERC was conducted by the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement (EDGE) Unit. After a four-month investigation, one ERC employee and five other people have been charged.

ERC employee, James Brian JOHNSTONE, 21, is charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence – trafficking in a controlled substance, one count of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking Cocaine, one count of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Marijuana and one count of possession of a controlled substance.